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Best Places For Glass Art In Pittsburgh

July 2, 2012 6:00 AM

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Whether you want to try your hand at making glass art yourself or simply want to gaze at the brilliant glass art by others, Pittsburgh has the resources for you with glassblowing classes and glass-art galleries.

Located in the heart of Shadyside, Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery will peak your interest in glass art. Morgan bills itself as the first art gallery in Pittsburgh dedicated exclusively to art made with studio glass, specifically sculpture, goblets and jewelry. Since it’s a gallery where all of the art is for sale, there’s no admission fee. So if you’re new to glass art, make Morgan your first stop to get a taste of this art for no cost. And maybe even pick yourself up a fabulous piece of glass jewelry.

Step into Phipps Conservatory for a taste of large-scale glass art. Home to the large Dale Chihuly exhibit in 2007-2008, Pittsburghers are lucky to have access to Chihuly permanently as many of the pieces in the exhibit are now permanent installations in the conservatory. From the gigantic chandelier that greets you when you walk in the front doors to the small pieces hidden in pots and peaking out from behind plants, seeing Chihuly’s amazing glass art throughout the gardens is worth every dollar of your admission ticket into Phipps. Read more on Chihuly’s website.

Located in the East End, the Pittsburgh Glass Center’s Hodge Gallery prides itself on introducing glass art to the public to change the way we perceive glass. The gallery aims to make its visitors see glass as more than just something functional in windows and kitchenware. With an ever-changing schedule of exhibitions and installations, the Hodge Gallery is another fabulous free place to visit. Check the PGC website for scheduled events at the gallery. Price of admission includes a gallery tour and a one-hour demonstration of glassblowing.

Blown away by what you saw during the gallery tour and demonstration? Take the leap and sign up for a glassblowing class so you can try your hand at the craft. There are glassblowing classes to fit every budget, time commitment and skill level. PGC has a huge catalog of classes that will keep you coming back for more. Start with the beginner glassblowing and keep working towards the advanced workshops where you can learn master techniques and get one-on-one training with some of the best glass artists in the field. Browse the course catalog and get inspired.

Let’s not forget about one of the most pervasive types of glass art: stained glass. Pittsburgh is home to hundreds of churches and old buildings adorned with one of the original forms of glass art. Drawing inspiration from those artists is Glenn Greene in Regent Square, who owns and operates his own stained-glass window art studio. From custom pieces to pieces made from his own ideas, Greene’s studio is a must visit if you’re interested in having a piece of one-off, original stained glass in your home. Check out Greene’s Facebook page for more information. If you’re lucky, you might see some antique stained glass from buildings around Pittsburgh that Greene has been commissioned to restore while you’re in the studio.

Sally Turkovich Wright lives in her beloved city of Pittsburgh with her husband, Jason and German Shepherd, Zeus. She is a policy analyst by training, an eyewear stylist by trade and an amateur healthy-living advocate by choice. She also writes a column for Twoday Magazine.